Do you want to put one or more beehives in your garden? It is then necessary to know if this project is feasible and under what conditions. Often it is a matter of common sense, but the fact remains that this installation is subject to specific legal rules that must be respected. Here’s what you need to know before you get started!

What common sense tells you

You must first know that bees are not aggressive insects, wasps are most often at the origin of the stings that we tend to give to bees. Getting stung by a bee in the garden is really bad luck or some unfortunate combination of circumstances. This happens, for example, if you walk barefoot and run over a bee that is quietly foraging. You can observe a bee foraging very closely without it attacking you, so it remains harmless in most cases.

On the other hand, you cannot approach a hive without being perfectly protected. You should never stand near the entrance to the hive. Since the bee has a lot of predators, it is normal for it to protect its food reserves and its home.

What are the regulations that must be observed?

You should know that the regulations may vary in each municipality and each prefecture, for the establishment of beehives in your home. This concerns in particular the distances to be respected with neighboring properties. However Article 211-7 of the Rural Code refers.

It is said there that: “The hives isolated from neighboring properties or from the public thoroughfare by a wall, a palisade made of joined planks, a live or dry hedge with a height of 2 meters above are not subject to any distance prescription. above the ground and which extends for at least 2 meters on each side of the hive ”.

This tolerance does not apply, however, if you have houses nearby or collective establishments which receive the public.

Despite these restrictions, the legislation greatly favors the installation of beehives even in urban areas.

Even if the law allows you to do so, you must however take precautions not to cause any damage to your neighborhood, so you should be careful when choosing the place of installation.

The distances to respect, between your hive and the neighborhood or the public road, are generally between 20 and 100 meters. It is also possible that the mayor of the municipality has issued municipal decrees that toughen these conditions. It is for all these reasons that it is absolutely necessary before starting to inquire with the town hall.

Your other obligations :

You must declare your louse for your hives to the Veterinary Services Directorate of your department. It’s actually very simple and then you have your official beekeeper number.

It will also be necessary to take out civil liability insurance. To find out the nature of the insurance, contact the beekeeping union in your department, which is most able to provide you with effective information. This insurance is not expensive especially if you plan to install only one hive.

Once you have completed these steps, you can seriously consider setting up your hive.

The criteria for setting up the hive

Avoid installing it in a place where you pass often, or even daily, and banish proximity to the entrance to the garden.

It is preferable to respect a 5 to 10 meter security perimeter. If you have children, do not hesitate to demarcate it by putting up a fence, especially when the land is not huge. This will prevent them from approaching the hive and getting stung.

Warning : the problems often come from your immediate neighbors or not. They may not approve or understand your project, or the bees may scare them. The best is, if you have the possibility and if they are not too closed, to associate them with the project. You can also calm them down by offering them a jar or two of honey on your first harvest, this usually relaxes your relationships.

Important detail : if you have no water near your hive, put a water trough, water is essential for these insects. In addition, your neighbors may not like your bees looking to quench their thirst in their homes. In summer, the bee requires a lot of water and it will fetch it as close as possible and as practical for it.

The most important thing, however, is to respect the regulations to avoid any problems.

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The cases of isolated hives: there are no regulations

As we have already seen, if the rich are on isolated ground, no regulation is needed. This is the case if your home is located outside urban areas. It is article L211-7 of the rural code who affirms it.

To install a beehive without encountering any problem, it is essential to put a physical obstacle such as a fence or a wall. In this case, we speak of an isolated hive.

Install one or more uninsulated beehives

If you cannot meet all the conditions required for isolated hives, all is not lost, so don’t give up!

Contact the prefecture on which your home and land depend. It is the prefect who will determine this time the distance that must be respected between the beehives and neighboring properties or the public highway.

Then, get in touch with the town hall: this reconciliation is necessary, because the prefect may have imposed conditions, but the mayor can also do it. You will find this procedure articles L211-6 and L211-7 of the rural and maritime fishing code.

The imperatives for bees to feel good

The hive must be in a small quiet area, this insect appreciates above all its tranquility. The entrance should preferably be placed away from the prevailing winds, which are generally carriers of rain. It is also necessary to avoid the full south, the hottest hours when the sun is shining are not appreciated. It is preferable that it has a small shaded area.

You also have to think about the winter season and avoid placing it in the shade of a building where the ground does not thaw before the end of the afternoon. The bee colony must be able to take advantage of positive temperatures, otherwise it will consume all its reserves to warm up.

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